Free COVID19 testing to begin in Grand Bahama from today

Nassau, the Bahamas: Free COVID-19 testing facility will commence from today onwards (Saturday, January 22, 2022) on Grand Bahama Island of the Bahamas, by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. This free testing will be offered at Christ the King, Foster B. Pestaina Centre in Freeport. Bahamians who want to get themselves tested for the COVID-19 viral disease can register themselves online at -  https://covidtest.gov.bs. The health ministry is expected to test at least 200 individuals under this free testing drive, noting this step is a part of the island's government efforts to bring the cases of the COVID-19 under control. Office of the Prime Minister asserted, "Free testing is part of a larger government effort to reduce the impact of the new, ultra-transmissible COVID-19 variants". The government noted that it stays to its commitment to combatting the deadliest mutant by expanding its vaccine and booster efforts, handing out medical-grade masks, setting stricter limits on the size of social gatherings public education campaigns, as well as extending its healthcare capacity.   COVID-19 free testing pilot programme was initially commenced in New Providence during the first week of this year, after which it expanded to the other provinces of the Bahamas, such as - Eleuthera, Inagua, Bimini and the Berry Islands.  The Bahamian government is expected to begin the free testing facility further in the Eight Mile Rock soon.  Ginger Moxey, the Minister for the Grand Bahama, speaking on the government's testing pilot programme, cited, "We are glad to help, support and partner with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to stimulate the rollout of the free COVID-19 testing programme on Grand Bahama". He furthermore underscored that the initiative of Prime Minister Philip Davis led-administration is to foster and advance the healthcare structure, which is one of the mandates of the Ministry for Grand Bahama. The minister added, "I am elated to see this materialize today, and I encourage the residents of Grand Bahama to protect themselves by taking advantage of this opportunity".